SXSW is that crazy, beautiful mess of music, film, and tech that takes over Austin every March.
It’s part festival, part conference, part industry schmooze-fest, where you can catch the next breakout band, hear a startup pitch that might actually change the world, and maybe—just maybe—stumble into a secret show with an artist who will be headlining arenas next year.
SXSW 2026 officially takes place March 12-18 in Austin, Texas.
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Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure for creative chaos.
SXSW blends culture and innovation in a way that no other festival really does.
SXSW is shifting gears. With fewer bands and a growing film buzz, the 2026 festival drops its dedicated music weekend. To keep crowds coming, SXSW is offering 50% off badges for early birds.
Once sidelined, the Film & TV Fest is now the main event. Penske Corp., 50% owner since 2021, has turned it into a Hollywood hotspot, making screen time the new priority.
Music, once the headliner, is fading into the background. The lineup shrank from 2,000 bands to 1,012 in 2025, with 35% being international acts.
It’s not just about catching big-name headliners or buzzy indie films—it’s about ideas, conversations, and those random moments where you find yourself deep in discussion with a filmmaker, tech founder, and musician all at the same dive bar.
It’s a place where the future gets beta tested in real-time, whether that’s a new social app, a fresh sound, or the next big streaming hit.
The SXSW experience is equal parts exhilarating and overwhelming. By day, you're bouncing between panels, film screenings, and tech demos, soaking in the latest in AI, music trends, and film storytelling.
By night, the city transforms into a sprawling, neon-lit music festival where you’re hopping from tiny club shows to rooftop parties, powered by free drinks and an endless stream of wristbands.
The energy is nonstop, the FOMO is real, and if you do it right, you leave with a head full of ideas, a phone full of new contacts, and at least one unforgettable night you’ll be talking about for years.
The schedule for 2026 will be posted here when it's announced.
The SXSW lineup will be posted here when it's announced. Check back for updates.
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